IRVING, TEXAS (October 15, 2008) After two weeks of competition, Conference USA women's swimming has had a strong start this season. East Carolina and Houston both ended the week with perfect records. Marshall defeated Xavier (Ohio) 162-114 and Rice outscored North Texas at Texas A&M 184-109. In their only competition to date, SMU took first place honors on Oct. 3 at the Mean Green Relays in Keller, Texas.
Houston's Sasha Schwendenwein is Conference USA's first Swimmer of the Week for the 2008-09 season after winning each of her eight events over the weekend against Southwestern and North Texas and helping the Cougars to a 2-0 record. All-American and Olympian teammate Anastasia Pozdniakova is the Diver of the Week. Pozdniakova returned from the 2008 Olympics and automatically qualified for the NCAA Zone Diving meet after scoring 307.43 points in the 1-meter competition against North Texas.
SWIMMER OF THE WEEK (10/14)
SASHA SCHWENDENWEIN - HOUSTON
Sr., Randburg, South Africa (Crawford College)
Schwendenwein helped lead the Cougars to a 2-0 record after winning all eight of her events over the weekend against Southwestern and North Texas. The senior swimmer was a member of the winning 400-yard medley relay team that finished with a time of 4:13.03 against Southwestern. In the same meet, she took the top spot in the 50-yard freestyle clocking a time of 25.45, finished first in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:11.45 and ended the meet with a win in the 200-yard IM in 2:10.90. Against North Texas, Schwendenwein won the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:05.43 and the 100-yard freestyle in 51.92. In her final two races of the day, she won the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:04.30 while her time of 3:33.14 gave her the top spot in the 400-yard freestyle relay. The weekly award is the third of Schwendenwein's career.
DIVER OF THE WEEK (10/14)
ANASTASIA POZDNIAKOVA - HOUSTON
Jr., Elektrostal, Russia (Secondary General Education School No. 16)
Pozdniakova helped the Cougars to a win over North Texas in the first home meet of the 2008-09 season. She won both the 1-meter competition scoring 307.43 points and the 3-meter competition after scoring 281.70 points in the event. Both scores qualified her for the NCAA Zone Diving meet. In the 1-meter competition, Pozdniakova was the only diver to surpass 300 points and helped the Cougars to a sweep in the top three places in each event. Pozdniakova was named the Conference USA Diver of the Meet after winning both the 1-meter and 3-meter championship during the 2007 C-USA Swimming and Diving Championships. She was a red-shirt last season and did not compete for the Cougars as she trained for the Olympics where she earned silver medalist honors. This is the junior's fifth career weekly honor.
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
AMANDA DUNCAN - East Carolina
Duncan helped lead the Pirates to head-to-head victories over Marshall, West Virginia and Xavier (Ohio). The senior swimmer posted first-place finishes in the 100 butterfly and 200 butterfly.
Siobhan Schuurman - Marshall
Schuurman helped Marshall to a win over Xavier with first-place finishes in both the 1-meter and 3-meter. Schuurman is the school record-holder in both the 1-meter and platform dives.
Angela Wo - Rice
Wo was one of Rice's top performers in the owl's season-opening double-dual meet against nationally-ranked Texas A&M and the University of North Texas. In addition to a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly, Wo also posted a career-best time of 2:06.47 to take fourth in the 200-fly.
Christy-Leigh Lategan - SMU
Lategan was a member of four relay teams that placed first. She helped her team in the with the 800-yard freestyle relay by swimming the fastest time of 1:52.05. The freshman swimmer also swam in the 500- yard freestyle relay winning with a time of 4:29.79, almost six seconds faster than the second place finishers. SMU won the North Texas Relays by placing first in eight of ten events.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
UH Swimming and Diving Wins Dual Meets Over the Weekend
HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 11, 2008) The University of Houston swimming and diving team won two dual meets this weekend to open the 2008-09 season.Houston opened the weekend with a 132-88 win over Southwestern and capped it off with a 174-126 win over North Texas on Saturday at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.
The Cougars were led by divers Anastasia Pozdniakova and Lacey Truelove. Pozdniakova finished with an NCAA “A” qualifying mark in both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events and Truelove notched a “B” qualifying mark in the 1-meter event.
Junior Jessica Shamburger also recorded the schools 10th fastest time in the 100-yard backstroke with her winning time of 57.57 on Saturday.
Houston 174, North Texas 126
In the first event of the afternoon against the Mean Green, Houston finished first and fourth in the 200-yard medley relay. The Cougar “A” team of Jessica Shamburger, Beccy Hillis, Andrea Kells and Paige Bissett finished first with a time of 1:48.68. The “B” team of Rachel Johnson, Natalie Newcomb, Doreen Polotzek and Brittany Copeland finished fourth with a time of 1:55.46.
Co-captain Andrea Pa’lmai won her first event of the afternoon with a time of 10:22.03 in the 1,000-yard freestyle. She was followed by Olga Bordatcheva (11:01.17), Rachel Holcomb (11:49.32) and Markee Johnson (12:18.40) who finished fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively.
Pa’lmai also went on the win the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:06.35 and the 400-yard IM with a time of 4:34.76. Bissett and Rachel Johnson finished sixth (2:15.50) and seventh (2:22.43) respectively in the 200-yard backstroke. Natalie Newcomb was fifth for the Cougars in the 400-yard IM with a time of 4:47.07.
In the third event of the afternoon, North Texas edged Kim Eeson for first place in the 200-yard freestyle. Eeson finished second with a time of 1:53.12. Newcomb added a fourth place finish (2:00.60), while Amber Pace was seventh (2:09.01).
After earning a first place finish in the 200-yard medley relay, Shamburger won her second event of the day finishing first in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 57.57. Her winning time is also the 10th fastest time in Cougar record books. Bissett added a fourth place finish (1:00.73), while Amber Brodeur (1:06.08) was seventh and Rachel Johnson was eighth (1:06.52).
The Cougars followed up the win in the 200-yard medley with win in the 100-yard breaststroke. Hillis won her second event of the day with a time of 1:05.76. Polotzek notched a third place finish (1:09.99), Kells was fifth (1:12.59) and Borbala Juhasz was sixth (1:19.87). Polotzek’s finish set a new career best for the Essen, Germany native.
Hillis won her third event of the day with a 2:20.87 finish in the 200-yard breaststroke. Bordatcheva, Newcomb and Juhasz also finished third (2:29.24), fourth (2:29.57) and seventh (2:57.27) for the Cougars in the event.
Co-captain Sasha Schwendenwein won the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:05.43 and Danica Lubbers was fifth with a time of 2:19.02. Schwendenwein won her second event of the afternoon with a time of 51.92 in the 100-yard freestyle. Copeland, Pace and Stone rounded out the Cougar participants. The trio finish sixth (56.65), seventh (57.63) and eighth (59.55), respectively.
Schwendenwein would also win the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:04.30 and Eeson was second with a time of 5:07.49. Rachel Johnson was seventh (5:48.69) and Markee Johnson was eighth (5:54.58).
Eeson notched her second second-place finish of the afternoon with a 25.07 time in the 50-yard freestyle. Teammates Copeland (25.52), Shamburger (25.70) and Anne Stone (26.70) finished fifth, sixth and eighth, respectively.
Four Cougars swam in the 100-yard butterfly for Houston. Leading the way was Kells with a second place finish of 58:84 and Polotzek finished third (1:00.00). Bissett and Lubbers rounded out the group finishing fifth (1:00.93) and eighth (1:03.23), respectively.
Houston ended the afternoon with a win in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Eeson, Shamburger, Copeland and Schwendenwein combined to finish 3:3.14 in the event. Houston’s “B” relay team of Polotzek, Pace, Pa’lmai and Bordatcheva finished fifth with a time of 3:43.56.
In the diving events, in her first collegiate meet since 2006 after taking a redshirt season to prepare for the 2008 Beijng Olympics, junior Anastasia Pozdniakova won the 1-meter diving competition with 307.43 points. She was followed in second by Lacey Truelove with 260.70 points and Courtney Forcucci in third with 253.35 points. Jessalyn Almond finished fourth with 232.42 points.
With their points total in the 1-meter event, Pozdniakova recorded an NCAA “A” finish, while Truelove notched an NCAA “B” finish.
In the 3-meter event, Pozdniakova again took first with 281.70 points and another NCAA “A” finish. Truelove (265.58 pts.), Almond (261.90 pts.) and Forcucci (254.85 pts.) rounded out the top four.
Houston 132, Southwestern 88
On Friday night, Houston traveled to Georgetown, Texas for a dual meet against Southwestern. UH won the meet with a score of 132-88.
In the 400-yard medley relay, the Cougars “A” relay finished first with a time of 4:13.03. The “A” relay team consisted of Bissett, Schwenedwein, Lubbers and Copeland. The “B” team of Rachel Johnson, Juhasz, Pa’lmai and Pace finished third with a time of 4:28:18.
In the 1,000-yard freestyle Newcomb finished first with a time of 10:56.02 and Bordatcheva took first in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:00.50
Bissett captured first in the 50 yard backstroke with a time of 28:86, while Kells was first in the 50-yard breaststroke with a time of 33.51
Eeson continue the trend of Cougar swimmers finishing first in the 200-yard butterfly, coming in with a time of 2:14.31.
Schwendenwein captured her first individual win of the meet in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25:45 and Pa’lmai finished first with a time of 56:66 in the 100-yard freestyle to take first as well. Schwendenwein captured her third win of the day with a 2:11.45 finish in the 200-yard backstroke and Pa’lmai was once again first in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:29.23.
Bordatcheva captured her second win in the mixed 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:15.86 and Kells notched her second win of the day in the 50-yard butterfly with a time of 27.33.
Houston closed out the meet with two more wins, including a Schwendenwein win in the 200-yard IM (2:10.90) and a top finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Bordatcheva, Shamburger, Copeland and Bissett combined to finish with a time of 3:49.88.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Red Team Defeats White Team 168-103
HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 2, 2008) The University of Houston swimming and diving team opened the 2008-09 season Wednesday afternoon with the annual Red & White Meet at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.The White Team, captained by senior Sasha Schwendenwein, defeated the Red Team captained by senior Andrea Pa'lmai, 168-103.
"(This meet) was a really good opportunity for the girls to test themselves against each other before going into competition," head coach Mark Taylor said. "We could see the last few minutes of each on of their races and check the last few seconds going in and out of walls. We could see how the did on their starts and turns and things that we can refine and fine tune."
The White Team started the afternoon off with a win in the 250-yard medley relay. The team of junior Jessica Shamburger, freshman Natalie Newcomb, senior Sasha Schwendenwein and freshman Kimberley Eeson combined to finish with a time of 1:42.40. The Red Team of freshman Paige Bissett, freshman Beccy Hillis, senior Doreen Polotzek and sophomore Brittany Copeland finished second with a time of 1:48.10.
After taking first in the 250-yard medley relay, Eeson followed that up with an 8:23.91 win in the 800-yard freestyle relay. She was followed in second by Olga Bordatcheva (8:38.51; Red). Freshmen Natalie Newcomb (8:51.91; White), Anne Stone (9:52.10; Red) and Borbala Juhasz (10:13.38; White) rounded out the event.
Schwendenwein finished first in the 125-yard freestyle with a time of 1:10.07 and Copeland finished second (1:14.91). Freshman Amber Pace was third for the White Team (1:16.34) and freshman Rachel Holcomb and sophomore Markee Johnson finished fourth and fifth for the Red Team with a time of 1:17.18 and 1:18.61, respectively.
Hillis won her first event with a 1:03.03 finish in the 100-yard IM. Bissett (1:04.30), Newcomb (1:05.46) and Polotzek (1:05.88) rounded out the top four, while freshman Danica Lubbers (1:05.98), freshman Rachel Johnson (1:06.88) and sophomore Amber Brodeur (1:11.08) finished fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively.
Taking first in the 25-yard freestyle was Shamburger. She finished with a time of 11.81 defeating sophomore Andrea Kells, who finished second with a time of 12.45. Copeland finished third in her third event of the after noon with a time of 12.46. Polotek, Pace and senior Andrea Pa'lmai closed out the event with times of 12.73, 12.95 and 13.07.
The White Team took its second relay title of the afternoon. Lubbers, Kells, Newcomb and Eeson combined to finish with a time of 4:55.56. The red team of Hillis, Holcomb, Bordatcheva and Stone finished second with a time of 5:00.19. The White Team had a second relay team that finished third with a time of 5:21.81. Members of the relay included Brodeur, Pace, Juhasz and Rachel Johnson.
In the 75-yard butterfly event, the White team finished first and second. Schwendenwein captured first with a time of 42.89, while Kells took second with a time of 43.18. Polotzek finished third with a time of 45.82 and Copeland was fourth (48.78).
Eeson posted a time of 39.69 in the 75-yard freestyle, capturing her fourth win of the meet. Shamburger finished close behind with a time of 39.72. Bordatcheva, with a time of 42.32, finished third. Markee Johnson (43.53), Stone (44.42), and Juhasz (49.91) finished in fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
Schwendenwein captured her third win, after posting a time of 44.11 in the 75-yard backstroke. She was followed by second-place finisher Shamburger (44.12), while Bissett took third with a time of 45.85. Rachel Johnson placed fourth with a time of 48.53. Pa'lmai took fifth (51.85) and Markee Johnson took sixth (52.39). Holcomb finished in the seventh spot with a time of 55.25.
Eeson won her fifth event, clocking a time of 3:33.18 in the 350-yard freestyle. Hillis followed in second with a time of 3:36.59, while Lubbers took the third spot, posting a time of 3:52.13. Holcomb (3:57.76) was fourth position and Pace (4:10.02) finished fifth.
Hillis won her second event of the meet after posting a time of 48.92 in the 75-yard breaststroke. Bordatcheva finished second with a time of 52.90 and Kells clocked a time of 53.11, finishing third on the event. Newcomb (53.24), Juhasz (57.06) and Stone (1:02.66) placed fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
In the 300-yard IM, Bissett (3:33.64) finished first, Lubbers (3:36.09) finished second and Rachel Johnson (3:51.48) placed third.
The final event, the 300-yard freestyle relay, the White Team of Shamburger, Lubbers, Kells and Schwendenwein finished first, posting a time of 2:46.34. The Red Team of Polotzek, Holcomb, Markee Johnson and Bissett finished second with a time of 2:50.40. The Red B Team finished third (3:00.90) and the White B Team finished fourth (3:.04.30).
In the 1-meter diving event, sophomore Lacey Truelove finished first for the White Team. Sophomore Courtney Forcucci placed second, while freshman Jessalyn Almond took third.
Junior Anastasia Pozdniakova finished first in 3-meter diving for the White Team. Forcucci took second, while Truelove captured third and Almond finished fourth.
"Some people really stepped up today and raced well today against their friends. The competition was fierce against each other and you could see it was a really good competition," Taylor said. "The girls did a good job and we are excited and looking forward to this weekend."
UP NEXT
Houston will travel to Keller, Texas for the Second Annual North Texas Relays on Oct. 3. The meet is scheduled to begin at 6pm. The Cougars will also compete in a dual against Southwester on Oct. 10 before returning to Houston for a dual against North Texas on Oct. 11.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Cougars To Kick Off Season This Afternoon
HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 1, 2008) The University of Houston swimming and diving team will open the 2008-09 season Wednesday with the annual Red and White Meet at 3pm.The intrasquad meet is the annual opening to the season and will take place at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium. The meet is free and open to the public.
Senior Andrea Pa'lmai will captain the Red Team. She will compete with senior Doreen Polotzek, sophomores Markee Johnson, Brittany Copeland, Paige Bissett and Courtney Forcucci. Freshmen Beccy Hillis, Olga Bordatcheva, Anne Stone, Rachel Holcomb, Jessalyn Almond and Rachel Erickson will complete the team.
On the White Team, guided by senior Sasha Swendenwein, will be juniors Anastasia Pozdniakova and Jessica Shamburger, sophomores Andrea Kells, Amber Brodeur and Lacey Truelove and freshmen Kimberlee Eeson, Natalie Newcomb, Borbala Juhasz, Amber Pace, Danica Lubbers and Rachel Johnson.
The meet will consist of 15 events and each swimmer will compete in three individual events and two relays while the divers will compete in two individual events and one relay.
A complete recap of the meet will be available at www.UHCougars.com following the day's events.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Cougar Divers Win Silver Medal At Beijing Olympics
BEIJING, CHINA (August 11, 2008) Cougar diver Anastasia Pozdniakova and former Cougar Yulia Pakhalina joined forces to take home a silver medal in the synchronized diving competition for Russia at the Beijing Olympics.The duo scored 323.61 points to take home a medal. They finished second to the China while Germany took home bronze. This is Pozdniakova's first Olympic medal and the fourth for Pakhalina. She has won one gold, two silvers and one bronze.
Pozdniakova and Pakhalina will join with former Cougar Tania Cognotto to compete in the 3-meter springboard on Aug. 15-17. Cognotto, competing for Italy, will also dive in the 10-meter platform on Aug. 20-21.
All diving events will take place at the National Aquatics Center on the Olympic Green, and the Olympics are scheduled to air on the NBC family of networks.
Pozdniakova was named the Conference USA Diver of the Meet after winning both the 1-meter and 3-meter championship during the 2007 C-USA Swimming and Diving Championships. She was a red-shirt this past season and did not compete for the Cougars as she trained for the Olympics. In 2006-07, she was also named the C-USA Diver of the Week four times during the regular season.
Pozdniakova continued the success of her sophomore campaign, winning the 1-meter and 3-meter championships at the NCAA Zone D Meet. She finished second on the 3-meter springboard and fifth in the 1-meter competition at the NCAA meet, earning All-America status.
Pakhalina, an Olympic medal winner, took home bronze in the 3-meter springboard and silver in synchronized diving at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. She also was a gold medalist in synchronized diving in Sydney in 2000.
As a Cougar, Pakhalina was a five-time NCAA individual national champion in the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard. She also recorded 36 consecutive wins in collegiate competition and was an 11-time C-USA Diver of the Week.
Cougar diving coach Jane Figueiredo will be an assistant coach for the Russian team for the third time, including in 2000 and 2004. She also was an assistant coach for Great Britain in 1996 and competed as a diver in the 1984 Olympics in Pos Angeles.
While Cagnotto only competed at Houston for one season, she set a UH and C-USA record by being named C-USA Diver of the Week nine times and swept all three diving events at the 2006 C-USA Championship. She was just the second diver in C-USA history to win all three diving events at one championship meet, joining Pakhalina who accomplished the feat in 2002.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Former/Current UH Divers Prepare for 2008 Olympics
HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 1, 2009) Former University of Houston divers Yulia Pakhalina and Tania Cagnotto and current Cougar Anastasia Pozdniakova are preparing to represent their home countries at the 2008 Olympics when they begin on Aug. 8 in Beijing.
Pozdniakova and Pakhalina, both natives of Russia, will compete together in the 3-meter synchronized springboard Aug. 10 and Cagnotto will compete for Italy in the 10-meter platform Aug. 20-21. All three divers will also participate in the 3-meter springboard Aug. 15-17.
All three events will take place at the National Aquatics Center on the Olympic Green, and the Olympics are scheduled to air on the NBC family of networks.
Pozdniakova was named the Conference USA Diver of the Meet after winning both the 1-meter and 3-meter championship during the 2007 C-USA Swimming and Diving Championships. She was a redshirt this past season and did not compete for the Cougars as she trained for the Olympics. In 2006-07, she was also named the C-USA Diver of the Week four times during the regular season.
Pozdniakova continued the success of her sophomore campaign, winning the 1-meter and 3-meter championships at the NCAA Zone D Meet. She finished second on the 3-meter springboard and fifth in the 1-meter competition at the NCAA meet, earning All-America status.
Pakhalina, an Olympic medal winner, took home bronze in the 3-meter springboard and silver in synchronized diving at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. She also was a gold medalist in synchronized diving in Sydney in 2000.As a Cougar, Pakhalina was a five-time NCAA individual national champion in the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard. She also recorded 36 consecutive wins in collegiate competition and was an 11-time C-USA Diver of the Week.
While Cagnotto only competed at Houston for one season, she set a UH and C-USA record by being named C-USA Diver of the Week nine times and swept all three diving events at the 2006 C-USA Championship. She was just the second diver in C-USA history to win all three diving events at one championship meet, joining Pakhalina who accomplished the feat in 2002.
Cougar diving coach Jane Figueiredo will be an assistant coach for the Russian team for the third time, including in 2000 and 2004. She also was an assistant coach for Great Britain in 1996 and competed as a diver in the 1984 Olympics in Portugal.
Pozdniakova and Pakhalina, both natives of Russia, will compete together in the 3-meter synchronized springboard Aug. 10 and Cagnotto will compete for Italy in the 10-meter platform Aug. 20-21. All three divers will also participate in the 3-meter springboard Aug. 15-17.
All three events will take place at the National Aquatics Center on the Olympic Green, and the Olympics are scheduled to air on the NBC family of networks.
Pozdniakova was named the Conference USA Diver of the Meet after winning both the 1-meter and 3-meter championship during the 2007 C-USA Swimming and Diving Championships. She was a redshirt this past season and did not compete for the Cougars as she trained for the Olympics. In 2006-07, she was also named the C-USA Diver of the Week four times during the regular season.Pozdniakova continued the success of her sophomore campaign, winning the 1-meter and 3-meter championships at the NCAA Zone D Meet. She finished second on the 3-meter springboard and fifth in the 1-meter competition at the NCAA meet, earning All-America status.
Pakhalina, an Olympic medal winner, took home bronze in the 3-meter springboard and silver in synchronized diving at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. She also was a gold medalist in synchronized diving in Sydney in 2000.As a Cougar, Pakhalina was a five-time NCAA individual national champion in the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard. She also recorded 36 consecutive wins in collegiate competition and was an 11-time C-USA Diver of the Week.
While Cagnotto only competed at Houston for one season, she set a UH and C-USA record by being named C-USA Diver of the Week nine times and swept all three diving events at the 2006 C-USA Championship. She was just the second diver in C-USA history to win all three diving events at one championship meet, joining Pakhalina who accomplished the feat in 2002.Cougar diving coach Jane Figueiredo will be an assistant coach for the Russian team for the third time, including in 2000 and 2004. She also was an assistant coach for Great Britain in 1996 and competed as a diver in the 1984 Olympics in Portugal.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Three UH Divers Earn All-America Honors on Platform at NCAA Championship
COLUMBUS, OHIO (Mrach 23, 2008) Three University of Houston divers capped their 2007-08 season in impressive style by earning All-America honors on the platform during the final day of the NCAA Championships on Saturday at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Ohio State.
Freshman Lacey Truelove, competing in her first NCAA Championship, earned the best finish by any Cougar at the 2008 meet, finishing sixth on the platform with 272.35 points during the finals. It was the first All-America honor for the London, Ontario, native, who recorded 304.95 points during the preliminaries earlier in the day.
Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk won the consolation finals with 296.20 points, while freshman Courtney Forcucci finished 15th with 224.40 points.It was the second All-America honor at the 2008 NCAA Championship for van Katwijk, who finished 10th on the 3-meter springboard on Friday.
Competing in her first NCAA Championship, Forcucci collected the first All-America honor of her career.With their performance on Saturday alone, the Cougar trio earned 24 points to help lead Houston to a final team score of 29 points.
The Cougars finished 28th in the overall team standings, the first time during the last eight seasons that UH failed to finish among the Top-25 team leaders at the nation’s top collegiate meet.
van Katwijk collected 252.70 points, while Forcucci posted 226.35 points during the preliminaries earlier in the day.Brittany Viola of Miami (Fla.) won the platform national championship with 362.60 points during the finals.
Arizona won the 2008 team national championship with 484 points, while Auburn finished second with 348 points. The Cougars earned the second most points among Conference USA teams, trailing only SMU, which earned 126 points to finish 11th.
Forcucci earned her place at the NCAA Championship after finishing second on the 1-meter springboard during the three-day meet's first day. van Katwijk and Truelove qualified the next day after finishing 1-2, respectively, on the 3-meter board.
Truelove added to her impressive resume during her first collegiate season by winning the platform title at the NCAA Zone D meet on Sunday.While Truelove and Forcucci will compete in their first NCAA Championship, the event is nothing new for diving head coach Jane Figueiredo. During her illustrious 18-year career at UH, Figueiredo now has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship.
Adding her divers’ 2008 performances to her resume, Figueiredo has mentored 13 divers to 39 All-America honors.This marked the eighth consecutive year that at least one UH diver competed at the NCAA Championship, and it was the fifth straight season that the Cougars sent multiple divers to the Championship.
Freshman Lacey Truelove, competing in her first NCAA Championship, earned the best finish by any Cougar at the 2008 meet, finishing sixth on the platform with 272.35 points during the finals. It was the first All-America honor for the London, Ontario, native, who recorded 304.95 points during the preliminaries earlier in the day.
Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk won the consolation finals with 296.20 points, while freshman Courtney Forcucci finished 15th with 224.40 points.It was the second All-America honor at the 2008 NCAA Championship for van Katwijk, who finished 10th on the 3-meter springboard on Friday.
Competing in her first NCAA Championship, Forcucci collected the first All-America honor of her career.With their performance on Saturday alone, the Cougar trio earned 24 points to help lead Houston to a final team score of 29 points.
The Cougars finished 28th in the overall team standings, the first time during the last eight seasons that UH failed to finish among the Top-25 team leaders at the nation’s top collegiate meet.
van Katwijk collected 252.70 points, while Forcucci posted 226.35 points during the preliminaries earlier in the day.Brittany Viola of Miami (Fla.) won the platform national championship with 362.60 points during the finals.
Arizona won the 2008 team national championship with 484 points, while Auburn finished second with 348 points. The Cougars earned the second most points among Conference USA teams, trailing only SMU, which earned 126 points to finish 11th.
Forcucci earned her place at the NCAA Championship after finishing second on the 1-meter springboard during the three-day meet's first day. van Katwijk and Truelove qualified the next day after finishing 1-2, respectively, on the 3-meter board.
Truelove added to her impressive resume during her first collegiate season by winning the platform title at the NCAA Zone D meet on Sunday.While Truelove and Forcucci will compete in their first NCAA Championship, the event is nothing new for diving head coach Jane Figueiredo. During her illustrious 18-year career at UH, Figueiredo now has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship.
Adding her divers’ 2008 performances to her resume, Figueiredo has mentored 13 divers to 39 All-America honors.This marked the eighth consecutive year that at least one UH diver competed at the NCAA Championship, and it was the fifth straight season that the Cougars sent multiple divers to the Championship.
van Katwijk Leads UH Divers on 3-Meter Board at NCAA Championship
COLUMBUS, OHIO (March 22, 2008) University of Houston senior captain Ginni van Katwijk scored 313.90 points to finish 12th on the 3-meter springboard to lead the Cougars during the second day of the 2008 NCAA Championships on Friday at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Ohio State.
The Grootebroek, Netherlands, native qualified for the finals after scoring 311.00 points to ranks 10th. van Katwijk saved her best performance for last, scoring 54.60 points on her final dive to qualify for the finals.
Later in the day, she recorded 313.65 points in the consolation finals for her final standing. With that performance, van Katwijk earned All-America honors at the NCAA Championship for the second straight season. In 2007, she finished second in the consolation finals on the platform for her first All-America award.
In addition, van Katwijk earned five points for the Cougars in the overall team standings. Houston has finished among the Top-25 leaders at the NCAA Championship for seven consecutive seasons entering the 2008 meet.
Ohio State's Chelsea Davis won the 3-meter national championship with 365.85 points in the finals. Teammate Bianca Alvarez finished second with 354.50 points.
Arizona leads the team standings with 361 points heading into the final day. Auburn is second with 244 points, while Texas A&M is third with 227 points.
Freshmen Lacey Truelove and Courtney Forcucci also are competing in their first NCAA Championship meets and competed on Friday. Truelove placed 19th in the preliminaries with 284.20 points, while Forcucci scored 247.10 points to finish 36th.
The Cougars wrap up their stay Saturday, beginning with the platform trials at 12:30 p.m. (CDT). The platform consolation finals are slated to begin at 2:15 p.m. (CDT) with the swimming and diving finals starting at 6 p.m. (CDT).
Forcucci earned her place at the NCAA Championship after finishing second on the 1-meter springboard during the three-day meet's first day. van Katwijk and Truelove qualified the next day after finishing 1-2, respectively, on the 3-meter board.
Truelove added to her impressive resume during her first collegiate season by winning the platform title at the NCAA Zone D meet on Sunday.
While Truelove and Forcucci will compete in their first NCAA Championship, the event is nothing new for diving head coach Jane Figueiredo. During her illustrious 18-year career at UH, Figueiredo now has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship.
Adding van Katwijk's performance Friday to her resume, Figueiredo also has mentored 11 divers to 36 All-America honors.
This marks the eighth consecutive year that at least one UH diver has competed at the NCAA Championship and it will be the fifth straight season that the Cougars have sent multiple divers to the nation's top collegiate meet.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
UH Divers Compete at First Day of NCAA Championships
COLUMBUS, OHIO (March 20, 2008) – Three University of Houston divers competed in the women’s 1-meter event Thursday at the 2008 NCAA Championship at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Ohio State.
Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk placed 18th with 263.15 points, while freshman Courtney Forcucci finished 21st with 260.15 points. Freshman Lacey Truelove placed 38th with 224.65 points.
The divers will compete on the 3-meter springboard, beginning with trials at 12:30 p.m. (CDT) Friday. The consolation finals for places nine through 16 will begin at 2:30 p.m. (CDT) with the swimming and diving finals scheduled to start at 6 p.m. (CDT).
This is the second-career appearance for van Katwijk at the NCAA Championship. In 2007, she placed second in the consolation finals and earned All-America honors on the platform.
This marks the first NCAA Championship appearance for both Forcucci and Truelove.
During head coach Jane Figueiredo’s 18-year career at UH, she has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship, including 10 divers who earned 35 All-America honors.
Figueiredo was honored Conference USA Diving Coach of the Year for the seventh-straight year earlier this season.
Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk placed 18th with 263.15 points, while freshman Courtney Forcucci finished 21st with 260.15 points. Freshman Lacey Truelove placed 38th with 224.65 points.
The divers will compete on the 3-meter springboard, beginning with trials at 12:30 p.m. (CDT) Friday. The consolation finals for places nine through 16 will begin at 2:30 p.m. (CDT) with the swimming and diving finals scheduled to start at 6 p.m. (CDT).
This is the second-career appearance for van Katwijk at the NCAA Championship. In 2007, she placed second in the consolation finals and earned All-America honors on the platform.
This marks the first NCAA Championship appearance for both Forcucci and Truelove.
During head coach Jane Figueiredo’s 18-year career at UH, she has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship, including 10 divers who earned 35 All-America honors.
Figueiredo was honored Conference USA Diving Coach of the Year for the seventh-straight year earlier this season.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
UH Divers Ready for NCAA Championship
HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 19, 2008) Three University of Houston divers will begin competition at the 2008 NCAA Championship on Thursday at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Ohio State.
Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk and freshmen Courtney Forcucci and Lacey Truelove earned their places at the nation's top collegiate meet with solid performances throughout the NCAA Zone D meet last weekend at UH's own Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium.
The Cougar trio is scheduled to compete in all three events at the NCAA Championship. Their schedule begins at 12:30 p.m. (CDT), Thursday with the 1-meter diving trials. The consolation finals for places nine through 16 will begin at 2:15 p.m. (CDT) with the finals of both swimming and diving slated to start at 6 p.m. (CDT).
On Friday, the divers will compete on the 3-meter springboard, beginning with the 3-meter trials at 12:30 p.m. (CDT). The consolation finals for places nine through 16 begins at 2:30 p.m. (CDT) with the swimming and diving finals scheduled to start at 6 p.m. (CDT).
The Cougars wrap up their stay Saturday, beginning with the platform trials at 12:30 p.m. (CDT). The platform consolation finals are slated to begin at 2:15 p.m. (CDT) with the swimming and diving finals starting at 6 p.m. (CDT).
All-session tickets are available for $60 with sessions for each day's preliminaries selling for $10 and sessions for each day's finals going for $15. Tickets can be bought in advance by calling the Ohio State Ticket Office at 1-800-G0-BUCKS.
Live results of the 2008 NCAA Championship will be available at OhioStateBuckeyes.com by clicking on the NCAA Championships logo in the middle of the women's swimming and diving home page.
van Katwijk will make her second career appearance at the NCAA Championship. A year ago, the Grootebroek, Netherlands, native won the consolation finals and earned All-America honors on the platform.
Forcucci and Truelove will compete in their first NCAA Championship
Forcucci earned her place at the NCAA Championship after finishing second on the 1-meter springboard during the three-day meet's first day. van Katwijk and Truelove qualified the next day after finishing 1-2, respectively, on the 3-meter board.
Truelove added to her impressive resume during her first collegiate season by winning the platform title at the NCAA Zone D meet on Sunday.
While Truelove and Forcucci will compete in their first NCAA Championship, the event is nothing new for diving head coach Jane Figueiredo. During her illustrious 18-year career at UH, Figueiredo now has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship, including 10divers who earned 35 All-America honors.
This marks the eighth consecutive year that at least one UH diver has competed at the NCAA Championship and it will be the fifth straight season that the Cougars have sent multiple divers to the nation's top collegiate meet.
Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk and freshmen Courtney Forcucci and Lacey Truelove earned their places at the nation's top collegiate meet with solid performances throughout the NCAA Zone D meet last weekend at UH's own Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium.
The Cougar trio is scheduled to compete in all three events at the NCAA Championship. Their schedule begins at 12:30 p.m. (CDT), Thursday with the 1-meter diving trials. The consolation finals for places nine through 16 will begin at 2:15 p.m. (CDT) with the finals of both swimming and diving slated to start at 6 p.m. (CDT).
On Friday, the divers will compete on the 3-meter springboard, beginning with the 3-meter trials at 12:30 p.m. (CDT). The consolation finals for places nine through 16 begins at 2:30 p.m. (CDT) with the swimming and diving finals scheduled to start at 6 p.m. (CDT).
The Cougars wrap up their stay Saturday, beginning with the platform trials at 12:30 p.m. (CDT). The platform consolation finals are slated to begin at 2:15 p.m. (CDT) with the swimming and diving finals starting at 6 p.m. (CDT).
All-session tickets are available for $60 with sessions for each day's preliminaries selling for $10 and sessions for each day's finals going for $15. Tickets can be bought in advance by calling the Ohio State Ticket Office at 1-800-G0-BUCKS.
Live results of the 2008 NCAA Championship will be available at OhioStateBuckeyes.com by clicking on the NCAA Championships logo in the middle of the women's swimming and diving home page.
van Katwijk will make her second career appearance at the NCAA Championship. A year ago, the Grootebroek, Netherlands, native won the consolation finals and earned All-America honors on the platform.
Forcucci and Truelove will compete in their first NCAA Championship
Forcucci earned her place at the NCAA Championship after finishing second on the 1-meter springboard during the three-day meet's first day. van Katwijk and Truelove qualified the next day after finishing 1-2, respectively, on the 3-meter board.
Truelove added to her impressive resume during her first collegiate season by winning the platform title at the NCAA Zone D meet on Sunday.
While Truelove and Forcucci will compete in their first NCAA Championship, the event is nothing new for diving head coach Jane Figueiredo. During her illustrious 18-year career at UH, Figueiredo now has led 26 divers to the NCAA Championship, including 10divers who earned 35 All-America honors.
This marks the eighth consecutive year that at least one UH diver has competed at the NCAA Championship and it will be the fifth straight season that the Cougars have sent multiple divers to the nation's top collegiate meet.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Cougars' Divers Qualify for NCAA Championships
HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 16, 2008)- University of Houston senior captain Ginni van Katwijk and freshman Lacey Truelove became the second and third Cougars to qualify for the 2008 NCAA Championship with their performances Saturday afternoon during the NCAA Zone D Diving Meet at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium.
van Katwijk won the 3-meter event with 641.05 points with Truelove a close second with 637.10 points. Both Cougars joined freshman Courtney Forcucci as qualifiers for the 2008 NCAA Championship.
van Katwijk held third place with 322.35 points following the preliminaries behind teammate Truelove who recorded 325.25 points.
Forcucci, who qualified for the NCAA Championship with her second-place performance in Friday's 1-meter event, finished fifth on the 3-meter board with 572.55 points.
This marks the second time van Katwijk will compete in the NCAA Championship. In 2007, van Katwijk finished second in the platform diving consolation finals with 294.75 points.
Forcucci and Truelove will compete at the NCAA Championship for the first time.
They will be the 24th, 25th and 26th divers to compete at the NCAA Championship under head coach Jane Figueiredo.
Missouri's Kendra Melnychuk also qualified for the NCAA Championship after finishing fourth with 621.80 points in the 3-meter event.
Texas' Jonathan Wilcox won the men's 1-meter event with 686.40 points, while teammates Matthew Cooper and Mike Wong placed second and third.
The meet will wrap up Sunday when both men and women compete in the platform event. The men's event will start at 10 a.m., and the women's event is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m.
The women's qualifiers for the 2008 NCAA Championship are Ginni van Katwijk (Houston), Courtney Forcucci (Houston), Lacey Truelove (Houston), Mary Yarrison (Texas), Kathryn Kelly (Texas), and Kendra Melnychuk (Missouri).
The men's qualifiers are Gregory Destephen (Missouri), Jonathan Wilcox (Texas), Matthew Cooper (Texas), and Mike Wong (Texas).
Three more women's qualifiers, and one more men's qualifier will be decided after Sunday's platform event.
van Katwijk won the 3-meter event with 641.05 points with Truelove a close second with 637.10 points. Both Cougars joined freshman Courtney Forcucci as qualifiers for the 2008 NCAA Championship.
van Katwijk held third place with 322.35 points following the preliminaries behind teammate Truelove who recorded 325.25 points.
Forcucci, who qualified for the NCAA Championship with her second-place performance in Friday's 1-meter event, finished fifth on the 3-meter board with 572.55 points.
This marks the second time van Katwijk will compete in the NCAA Championship. In 2007, van Katwijk finished second in the platform diving consolation finals with 294.75 points.
Forcucci and Truelove will compete at the NCAA Championship for the first time.
They will be the 24th, 25th and 26th divers to compete at the NCAA Championship under head coach Jane Figueiredo.
Missouri's Kendra Melnychuk also qualified for the NCAA Championship after finishing fourth with 621.80 points in the 3-meter event.
Texas' Jonathan Wilcox won the men's 1-meter event with 686.40 points, while teammates Matthew Cooper and Mike Wong placed second and third.
The meet will wrap up Sunday when both men and women compete in the platform event. The men's event will start at 10 a.m., and the women's event is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m.
The women's qualifiers for the 2008 NCAA Championship are Ginni van Katwijk (Houston), Courtney Forcucci (Houston), Lacey Truelove (Houston), Mary Yarrison (Texas), Kathryn Kelly (Texas), and Kendra Melnychuk (Missouri).
The men's qualifiers are Gregory Destephen (Missouri), Jonathan Wilcox (Texas), Matthew Cooper (Texas), and Mike Wong (Texas).
Three more women's qualifiers, and one more men's qualifier will be decided after Sunday's platform event.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Houston Moves to 4th Place at C-USA Championships
By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 28, 2009) Freshman diver Courtney Forcucci scored 314.80 points to finish second on the 3-meter springboard and help lead the University of Houston swimming and diving team to a 4th place finish after day two of the 2008 Conference USA Championship at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.
Forcucci lead the Cougar divers that earned three places out of the top five places in the event. Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk finished fourth with 300.85 points, while freshman Lacey Truelove placed fifth with 286.60 points.
The Cougar's 400-yard medley relay made it to the medal stand, taking the bronze medal in the event. The team was made up of sophomore backstroker Jessica Shamburger, junior breaststroker Andrea Pa’lmai, freshman butterflier Andrea Kells and junior freestyler Sasha Schwendenwein finished with the time of 3:51.74.
In the team standings, the Cougars improved to fourth place after Thursday evening's finals with 116 points. Defending champion SMU led the team standings with 323 points, while Rice was in second with 213 points. East Carolina (178) stood in third with Marshall (116) placing fifth.
The meet continues at 10 a.m., Friday with the preliminaries of the 400-yard individual medley, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke and 100-yard backstroke. Preliminaries for the women’s 1-meter diving and men’s 3-meter diving are slated to begin around 1 p.m. with the finals of all the day’s events starting at 6 p.m.
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 28, 2009) Freshman diver Courtney Forcucci scored 314.80 points to finish second on the 3-meter springboard and help lead the University of Houston swimming and diving team to a 4th place finish after day two of the 2008 Conference USA Championship at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.
Forcucci lead the Cougar divers that earned three places out of the top five places in the event. Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk finished fourth with 300.85 points, while freshman Lacey Truelove placed fifth with 286.60 points.
The Cougar's 400-yard medley relay made it to the medal stand, taking the bronze medal in the event. The team was made up of sophomore backstroker Jessica Shamburger, junior breaststroker Andrea Pa’lmai, freshman butterflier Andrea Kells and junior freestyler Sasha Schwendenwein finished with the time of 3:51.74.
In the team standings, the Cougars improved to fourth place after Thursday evening's finals with 116 points. Defending champion SMU led the team standings with 323 points, while Rice was in second with 213 points. East Carolina (178) stood in third with Marshall (116) placing fifth.
The meet continues at 10 a.m., Friday with the preliminaries of the 400-yard individual medley, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke and 100-yard backstroke. Preliminaries for the women’s 1-meter diving and men’s 3-meter diving are slated to begin around 1 p.m. with the finals of all the day’s events starting at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Cougars 4th in 800-yard Freestyle Relay
By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 27, 2008) The University of Houston 800-yard freestyle relay finished in fourth place with the time of 7:37.63 on the opening night of the 2008 Conference USA Swimming and Diving Championships at UH's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium.
The team juniors Sasha Schwendenwein and Andrea Pa’lmai and freshmen Paige Bissett and Andrea Kells held off East Carolina University for most of the race, however the Pirates overtook the Cougars during the final 50 yards to take the bronze medal.
SMU finished in first with the time of 7:04.87, which was an NCAA "A" qualifying time. Rice took the silver medal (7:21.75) whcih was an NCAA "B" cut, with East Carolina in third (7:34.43) followed by Marshall (7:42.73-5th), Northern Colorado (7:49.45-6th) and Cal State Bakersfield (7:58.64-7th).
The Cougars were contending for third place in the 200-yard medley relay, however an early take-off cost them the race, with Rice taking the gold medal (1:43.29).
Rice held the overall lead among C-USA schools after the first day with 74 points, while East Carolina was second with 66 points. Marshall (60) and defending champion SMU (40) rounded out the rest of the field .
On the men’s side, defending champion SMU was first after the first day with 108 points, while East Carolina and Hawai’i were tied with 104 points apiece. Cal State Bakersfield stood in fourth place with 44 points.
The meet kicks into high gear at 10 a.m., Thursday with the preliminaries of the 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard individual medley and the 50-yard freestyle. The women’s 1-meter diving preliminaries are slated to begin around 1 p.m. with the finals of all the day’s events starting at 6 p.m.
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 27, 2008) The University of Houston 800-yard freestyle relay finished in fourth place with the time of 7:37.63 on the opening night of the 2008 Conference USA Swimming and Diving Championships at UH's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium.
The team juniors Sasha Schwendenwein and Andrea Pa’lmai and freshmen Paige Bissett and Andrea Kells held off East Carolina University for most of the race, however the Pirates overtook the Cougars during the final 50 yards to take the bronze medal.
SMU finished in first with the time of 7:04.87, which was an NCAA "A" qualifying time. Rice took the silver medal (7:21.75) whcih was an NCAA "B" cut, with East Carolina in third (7:34.43) followed by Marshall (7:42.73-5th), Northern Colorado (7:49.45-6th) and Cal State Bakersfield (7:58.64-7th).
The Cougars were contending for third place in the 200-yard medley relay, however an early take-off cost them the race, with Rice taking the gold medal (1:43.29).
Rice held the overall lead among C-USA schools after the first day with 74 points, while East Carolina was second with 66 points. Marshall (60) and defending champion SMU (40) rounded out the rest of the field .
On the men’s side, defending champion SMU was first after the first day with 108 points, while East Carolina and Hawai’i were tied with 104 points apiece. Cal State Bakersfield stood in fourth place with 44 points.
The meet kicks into high gear at 10 a.m., Thursday with the preliminaries of the 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard individual medley and the 50-yard freestyle. The women’s 1-meter diving preliminaries are slated to begin around 1 p.m. with the finals of all the day’s events starting at 6 p.m.
Houston Swimmers in 5th After Day 1 of Conference USA Championships
By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 27, 2008) - The 2008 Conference USA Women's Swimming and Diving Championship and Invitational got off the an exciting start on Wednesday evening at the CRWC Natatorium on the campus of the University of Houston with a record performance by the SMU 800-yard freestyle relay team.
The squad of Jennifer Blackman, Petra Klosova, Candace Blackman and Sascha Van den Branden finished with the time of 7:04.87, shattering the pool and meet record they set last year of 7:10.49. The mark was good for an NCAA `A' qualifying time.
Rice came in second (7:21.75) with an NCAA `B' time, while East Carolina finished in third (7:34.43). The host Cougars finished in fourth (7:37.63) and Marshall took fifth (7:42.73).
In the first event of the meet, the 200-yard medley relay, the Rice team of Angela Wo, Pam Zelnick, Skylar Craig and Diane Gu finished in 1:43.29 to take the win and grab 40 early points. Defending champion SMU finished in a record time of 1:39.32, making the NCAA “A”cut. but was disqualified fot an early takeoff. League members East Carolina (1:45.01) and Marshall (1:47.64) officially came in second and third, respectively.
Rice leads the C-USA Championship team scoring after day one with 74 points, followed by East Carolina with 66 and Marshall with 60. SMU sits in fourth with 40 points on the strength of their record-setting relay, while Houston is fifth with 30 points.
On the men's side, teams from league schools East Carolina and SMU along with Hawaii and Cal State Bakersfield are also competing in the C-USA men's invitational. SMU leads that event after day one with 108 points, followed by East Carolina and Hawai'i with 104 and Cal State Bakersfield with 44.
The meet resumes at 10 a.m., Thursday with the preliminaries of the 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard individual medley and the 50-yard freestyle. The women's 3-meter diving preliminaries will begin around 1 p.m. The finals for those events are slated to begin around 6 p.m.
All-session tickets are available for only $25 for adults and $10 for youth. Single-day tickets are available for $10 for adults and $5 for students with ID. Youth includes children from 3 years old to high school. Children who are 2 years old and younger are admitted free.
Click here for complete meet results, team scores, and live stats. Championship information came be accessed by clicking here.
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 27, 2008) - The 2008 Conference USA Women's Swimming and Diving Championship and Invitational got off the an exciting start on Wednesday evening at the CRWC Natatorium on the campus of the University of Houston with a record performance by the SMU 800-yard freestyle relay team.
The squad of Jennifer Blackman, Petra Klosova, Candace Blackman and Sascha Van den Branden finished with the time of 7:04.87, shattering the pool and meet record they set last year of 7:10.49. The mark was good for an NCAA `A' qualifying time.
Rice came in second (7:21.75) with an NCAA `B' time, while East Carolina finished in third (7:34.43). The host Cougars finished in fourth (7:37.63) and Marshall took fifth (7:42.73).
In the first event of the meet, the 200-yard medley relay, the Rice team of Angela Wo, Pam Zelnick, Skylar Craig and Diane Gu finished in 1:43.29 to take the win and grab 40 early points. Defending champion SMU finished in a record time of 1:39.32, making the NCAA “A”cut. but was disqualified fot an early takeoff. League members East Carolina (1:45.01) and Marshall (1:47.64) officially came in second and third, respectively.
Rice leads the C-USA Championship team scoring after day one with 74 points, followed by East Carolina with 66 and Marshall with 60. SMU sits in fourth with 40 points on the strength of their record-setting relay, while Houston is fifth with 30 points.
On the men's side, teams from league schools East Carolina and SMU along with Hawaii and Cal State Bakersfield are also competing in the C-USA men's invitational. SMU leads that event after day one with 108 points, followed by East Carolina and Hawai'i with 104 and Cal State Bakersfield with 44.
The meet resumes at 10 a.m., Thursday with the preliminaries of the 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard individual medley and the 50-yard freestyle. The women's 3-meter diving preliminaries will begin around 1 p.m. The finals for those events are slated to begin around 6 p.m.
All-session tickets are available for only $25 for adults and $10 for youth. Single-day tickets are available for $10 for adults and $5 for students with ID. Youth includes children from 3 years old to high school. Children who are 2 years old and younger are admitted free.
Click here for complete meet results, team scores, and live stats. Championship information came be accessed by clicking here.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Conference USA Swimming and Diving All-Academic Team Announced
IRVING, TEXAS (February 26, 2008) Six swimming and diving student-athletes were named to the 2007-08 Conference USA All-Academic Team, as announced by the league office today. SMU had two members on the team for the second consecutive year, while East Carolina, Houston, Marshall and Rice all placed one representative on the squad. The all-academic team consists of six student-athletes that have earned a 3.2 cumulative grade point average or better and have competed in 75 percent of their team’s scheduled meets.
Three seniors and three juniors make up this season’s All-Academic team. All six members are integral parts of their team’s performances thus far and will be counted on this week at the 2008 C-USA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship and Invitational being held at Houston’s CRWC Natatorium.
SMU teammates Jenny Basel and Angela San Juan Cisneros were named to the all-academic team after leading No. 14 SMU to a 5-3 dual meet record and a perfect 2-0 record against league foes. Basel is one of three repeat selections to the team in 2007-08. The junior mathematics major holds the highest GPA of all six team members at 3.95. She was a member of the Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2005-06 and 2006-07 and was also a recipient of the Commissioner’s Academic Medal those same years. Basel, a breaststroke and individual medley participant, has multiple 400 IM wins on the season as well top three finishes in the 200 breast.
San Juan Cisneros holds a 3.84 GPA in applied economics and was named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2006-07. In the pool, the senior has earned NCAA consideration in the 100 free and 100 fly and is a member of the SMU 200- and 400-yard medley teams that have set multiple pool records.
East Carolina placed senior Kim Brewer on this year’s list. Brewer is also a repeat selection and carries a 3.56 GPA in finance. The North Carolina native is a three-time member of the Commissioner’s Honor Roll and ranks among the Pirate’s Top 10 in three freestyle events. Brewer set season best times in the 500, 1,000, and 1,650 freestyle at this season’s Nike Cup.
Houston’s Ginni van Katwijk is the lone diver on the squad. The senior is a sociology major with a 3.61 GPA. She was a 2007 NCAA Platform Diving All-America honoree and was the 2007 C-USA Co-Newcomer of the Year. So far this season, van Katwijk has tallied UH season highs on the 1-meter board and in the platform diving competition. During the Cougars’ meet with at North Texas, she Grootebeck, Netherlands native won both springboard events to help UH sweep the Top Three places in each event.
Kayla Truswell of Marshall makes her first appearance on the C-USA All-Academic Team. The native of Canada has a 3.84 GPA in psychology and is a five-time Marshall Dean’s List Honoree and a two-time C-USA Academic Medalist and Academic Honor Roll member. She leads Marshall in both the 100 and 200 butterfly, while ranking 10th in the 100 and fifth in the 200 on the C-USA season best lists.
Repeat selection Diane Gu of Rice rounds out the team. Gu, a psychology major with a 3.67 GPA, is a three-time Commissioner’s Honor Roll member and won the 2007 Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Award. The native of Florida is also a Rice University Scholar Athlete. Gu is having another successful season in the pool and is often the anchor leg of the Owls’ sprint relays.
The 2008 C-USA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship and Invitational begins Wednesday, February 27 and continues until Saturday, March 1. The four-day event is hosted by the University of Houston and all five C-USA swimming and diving programs will participate in the event. SMU will be looking to bring home its third consecutive C-USA and title and 12th consecutive title overall.
Three seniors and three juniors make up this season’s All-Academic team. All six members are integral parts of their team’s performances thus far and will be counted on this week at the 2008 C-USA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship and Invitational being held at Houston’s CRWC Natatorium.
SMU teammates Jenny Basel and Angela San Juan Cisneros were named to the all-academic team after leading No. 14 SMU to a 5-3 dual meet record and a perfect 2-0 record against league foes. Basel is one of three repeat selections to the team in 2007-08. The junior mathematics major holds the highest GPA of all six team members at 3.95. She was a member of the Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2005-06 and 2006-07 and was also a recipient of the Commissioner’s Academic Medal those same years. Basel, a breaststroke and individual medley participant, has multiple 400 IM wins on the season as well top three finishes in the 200 breast.
San Juan Cisneros holds a 3.84 GPA in applied economics and was named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2006-07. In the pool, the senior has earned NCAA consideration in the 100 free and 100 fly and is a member of the SMU 200- and 400-yard medley teams that have set multiple pool records.
East Carolina placed senior Kim Brewer on this year’s list. Brewer is also a repeat selection and carries a 3.56 GPA in finance. The North Carolina native is a three-time member of the Commissioner’s Honor Roll and ranks among the Pirate’s Top 10 in three freestyle events. Brewer set season best times in the 500, 1,000, and 1,650 freestyle at this season’s Nike Cup.
Houston’s Ginni van Katwijk is the lone diver on the squad. The senior is a sociology major with a 3.61 GPA. She was a 2007 NCAA Platform Diving All-America honoree and was the 2007 C-USA Co-Newcomer of the Year. So far this season, van Katwijk has tallied UH season highs on the 1-meter board and in the platform diving competition. During the Cougars’ meet with at North Texas, she Grootebeck, Netherlands native won both springboard events to help UH sweep the Top Three places in each event.
Kayla Truswell of Marshall makes her first appearance on the C-USA All-Academic Team. The native of Canada has a 3.84 GPA in psychology and is a five-time Marshall Dean’s List Honoree and a two-time C-USA Academic Medalist and Academic Honor Roll member. She leads Marshall in both the 100 and 200 butterfly, while ranking 10th in the 100 and fifth in the 200 on the C-USA season best lists.
Repeat selection Diane Gu of Rice rounds out the team. Gu, a psychology major with a 3.67 GPA, is a three-time Commissioner’s Honor Roll member and won the 2007 Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Award. The native of Florida is also a Rice University Scholar Athlete. Gu is having another successful season in the pool and is often the anchor leg of the Owls’ sprint relays.
The 2008 C-USA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship and Invitational begins Wednesday, February 27 and continues until Saturday, March 1. The four-day event is hosted by the University of Houston and all five C-USA swimming and diving programs will participate in the event. SMU will be looking to bring home its third consecutive C-USA and title and 12th consecutive title overall.
Houston Swimming and Diving Plays Host to 2008 C-USA Women¹s Championship
HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 26, 2008) For the fifth straight season, some of the nation's top collegiate swimmers and divers will visit Houston during the 2008 Conference USA Women¹s Swimming and Diving Championship and Invitational.
The meet begins at 3 p.m., Feb. 27 at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium with the preliminaries of the men's 1-meter diving. Finals begin at 6 p.m. and will include the men's 1-meter diving as well as the men¹s and women's 200-yard medley relay and 800-yard freestyle relay.
The final three days of the four-day meet features swimming preliminaries beginning at 10 a.m., each day. Diving preliminaries are slated to start at 1 p.m., with the finals for all events beginning at 6 p.m., each day.
In addition to the Cougars, the women¹s side of the meet features C-USA rivals East Carolina, Marshall, Rice and SMU as well as Cal State Bakersfield, Northern Colorado. The men¹s side of the Invitational features East Carolina, SMU, Hawai¹i and Cal State Bakersfield.
This marks the fifth straight season that Houston has hosted the league's postseason extravaganza. The Cougars are the only school to host the Championship at an on-campus site.
All-session tickets are available for only $25 for adults and $10 for youth. Single-day tickets are available for $10 for adults and $5 for students with ID. Youth includes children from 3 years old to high school. Children who are 2 years old and younger are admitted free.
All students from Conference USA schools are admitted free with a valid student ID. Fans should note that cash only will be accepted at the Tickets table.
There will be no charge for all fans for Wednesday night's opening session. Fans attending sessions beginning Thursday morning will be charged accordingly.
Gates will open, and tickets will be sold beginning one hour prior to the meet. In addition, a wide variety of Championship merchandise will be available near the Tickets table.
The Cougars, competing under sixth-year head coach Mark Taylor, finished fourth a year ago and look to improve their standing during the 2008 meet. UH finished the regular season with a 9-8 record in dual meets, marking the program's third straight winning season.
It was the first time since 1983-86 that UH accomplished that feat. This season, the UH swimmers are led by juniors Sasha Schwendenwein and Andrea Pa'lmai.
Schwendenwein has posted the Cougars¹ season-best times in the 50-, 100-, 200- and 500-yard freestyle events as well as the 200-yard butterfly. The Randburg, South Africa, native already has provisionally qualified for the 2008 NCAA Championships with her time of 1:49.88 in the 200-yard freestyle during the Miami (Ohio) Invitational on Nov. 30, 2007.
Pa'lmai also has emerged as one of the Cougars¹ most consistent performers. The Budapest, Hungary, native leads all Cougar swimmers in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke as well as the 200-yard backstroke.
As impressive as the Cougar swimmers have been this season and at past C-USA Championships, the UH divers have established themselves as some of the nation's best.
Under the leadership of 18-year head coach Jane Figueiredo, senior captain Ginni van Katwijk and freshmen Courtney Forcucci and Lacey Truelove are expected to do well at the 2008 meet.
The Cougars have dominated diving at the C-USA Championship, winning six straight championships on the 1- and 3-meter springboards and the platform.
Cougar divers also have been honored as the C-USA Diver of the Year and Diver of the meet during each of the last six seasons, while Figueiredo has been honored for six straight years as the Diving Coach of the Year.
SMU comes into the meet as the two-time defending champions, while Rice and East Carolina each finished second in the standings during the last two years.
On the men¹s side, SMU returns as the two-time defending champions with East Carolina and Hawai¹i finished second in each of the last two years.
The meet begins at 3 p.m., Feb. 27 at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium with the preliminaries of the men's 1-meter diving. Finals begin at 6 p.m. and will include the men's 1-meter diving as well as the men¹s and women's 200-yard medley relay and 800-yard freestyle relay.
The final three days of the four-day meet features swimming preliminaries beginning at 10 a.m., each day. Diving preliminaries are slated to start at 1 p.m., with the finals for all events beginning at 6 p.m., each day.
In addition to the Cougars, the women¹s side of the meet features C-USA rivals East Carolina, Marshall, Rice and SMU as well as Cal State Bakersfield, Northern Colorado. The men¹s side of the Invitational features East Carolina, SMU, Hawai¹i and Cal State Bakersfield.
This marks the fifth straight season that Houston has hosted the league's postseason extravaganza. The Cougars are the only school to host the Championship at an on-campus site.
All-session tickets are available for only $25 for adults and $10 for youth. Single-day tickets are available for $10 for adults and $5 for students with ID. Youth includes children from 3 years old to high school. Children who are 2 years old and younger are admitted free.
All students from Conference USA schools are admitted free with a valid student ID. Fans should note that cash only will be accepted at the Tickets table.
There will be no charge for all fans for Wednesday night's opening session. Fans attending sessions beginning Thursday morning will be charged accordingly.
Gates will open, and tickets will be sold beginning one hour prior to the meet. In addition, a wide variety of Championship merchandise will be available near the Tickets table.
The Cougars, competing under sixth-year head coach Mark Taylor, finished fourth a year ago and look to improve their standing during the 2008 meet. UH finished the regular season with a 9-8 record in dual meets, marking the program's third straight winning season.
It was the first time since 1983-86 that UH accomplished that feat. This season, the UH swimmers are led by juniors Sasha Schwendenwein and Andrea Pa'lmai.
Schwendenwein has posted the Cougars¹ season-best times in the 50-, 100-, 200- and 500-yard freestyle events as well as the 200-yard butterfly. The Randburg, South Africa, native already has provisionally qualified for the 2008 NCAA Championships with her time of 1:49.88 in the 200-yard freestyle during the Miami (Ohio) Invitational on Nov. 30, 2007.
Pa'lmai also has emerged as one of the Cougars¹ most consistent performers. The Budapest, Hungary, native leads all Cougar swimmers in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke as well as the 200-yard backstroke.
As impressive as the Cougar swimmers have been this season and at past C-USA Championships, the UH divers have established themselves as some of the nation's best.
Under the leadership of 18-year head coach Jane Figueiredo, senior captain Ginni van Katwijk and freshmen Courtney Forcucci and Lacey Truelove are expected to do well at the 2008 meet.
The Cougars have dominated diving at the C-USA Championship, winning six straight championships on the 1- and 3-meter springboards and the platform.
Cougar divers also have been honored as the C-USA Diver of the Year and Diver of the meet during each of the last six seasons, while Figueiredo has been honored for six straight years as the Diving Coach of the Year.
SMU comes into the meet as the two-time defending champions, while Rice and East Carolina each finished second in the standings during the last two years.
On the men¹s side, SMU returns as the two-time defending champions with East Carolina and Hawai¹i finished second in each of the last two years.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Ticket Prices Announced for 2008 C-USA Women’s Swimming Championship
HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 11, 2008) With a little more than two weeks before the start, ticket prices for the 2008 Conference USA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship and Invitational were announced Monday afternoon.
All-session tickets are available for only $25 for adults and $10 for youth. Single-day tickets are available for $10 for adults and $5 for students with ID. Youth includes children from 3 years old to high school. Children who are 2 years old and younger are admitted free.
All students from Conference USA schools are admitted free with a valid student ID.
Fans should note that cash only will be accepted at the Tickets table.
There will be no charge for all fans for Wednesday night’s opening session. Fans attending sessions beginning Thursday morning will be charged accordingly.
Gate will open, and tickets will be sold beginning one hour prior to the meet. In addition, a wide variety of Championship merchandise will be available near the Tickets table.
The meet begins at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27 with the preliminaries of the men’s 1-meter diving. Finals begin at 6 p.m. and will include the men’s 1-meter diving as well as the men’s and women’s 200-yard medley relay and 800-yard freestyle relay.
The final three days of the four-day meet features swimming preliminaries beginning at 10 a.m., each day. Diving preliminaries are slated to start at 1 p.m., with the finals for all events beginning at 6 p.m., each day.
All-session tickets are available for only $25 for adults and $10 for youth. Single-day tickets are available for $10 for adults and $5 for students with ID. Youth includes children from 3 years old to high school. Children who are 2 years old and younger are admitted free.
All students from Conference USA schools are admitted free with a valid student ID.
Fans should note that cash only will be accepted at the Tickets table.
There will be no charge for all fans for Wednesday night’s opening session. Fans attending sessions beginning Thursday morning will be charged accordingly.
Gate will open, and tickets will be sold beginning one hour prior to the meet. In addition, a wide variety of Championship merchandise will be available near the Tickets table.
The meet begins at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27 with the preliminaries of the men’s 1-meter diving. Finals begin at 6 p.m. and will include the men’s 1-meter diving as well as the men’s and women’s 200-yard medley relay and 800-yard freestyle relay.
The final three days of the four-day meet features swimming preliminaries beginning at 10 a.m., each day. Diving preliminaries are slated to start at 1 p.m., with the finals for all events beginning at 6 p.m., each day.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Houston Defeats University of New Orleans 105-71
HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 2, 2008) One sophomore, two juniors and three freshmen were the stars of the day as the University of Houston swimming and diving team defeated the University of New Orleans 105-71 in their final regular-season home meet of the season.
The six swimmers combined to win all but one swimming event and both diving events to snap a five-meet losing streak.
The Cougars, who finished the regular season with a 9-8 overall record, recorded their third straight winning season, the first time that feat has been accomplished since 1983-86.
Juniors Sasha Schwendenwein and Andrea Pa’lmai and freshmen Brittany Copeland led the way with a pair of event wins each.
Schwendenwein won the 1,000-yard freestyle after posting a time of 10:40.51. The Randburg, South Africa, native also won the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:09.30.
Pa’lmai led all swimmers with a time of 1:56.12 in the 200-yard freestyle. The Budapest, Hungary, native also won the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:04.18.
Copeland won the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25.20. She also captured first place in the 100-yard freestyle after posting a time of 55.07.
Sophomore Kristine Kelly captured first place in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 5:01.40, while freshman Paige Bissett finished first in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:23.43.
Freshman diver Courtney Forcucci swept both diving events, a day after accomplishing that feat at No. 6 Texas A&M.
The Cougars’ 400-yard medley relay team of Jessica Shamburger, Doreen Polotzek, Bissett and Andrea Kells started the meet on a positive note, taking first place with a clocking of 4:02.50.
The Cougars will now take a 3 1/2 week break to sharpen thier skills and make final preparations before they host the Conference USA Swimming and Diving Championships on February 27-March 1.
The six swimmers combined to win all but one swimming event and both diving events to snap a five-meet losing streak.
The Cougars, who finished the regular season with a 9-8 overall record, recorded their third straight winning season, the first time that feat has been accomplished since 1983-86.
Juniors Sasha Schwendenwein and Andrea Pa’lmai and freshmen Brittany Copeland led the way with a pair of event wins each.
Schwendenwein won the 1,000-yard freestyle after posting a time of 10:40.51. The Randburg, South Africa, native also won the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:09.30.
Pa’lmai led all swimmers with a time of 1:56.12 in the 200-yard freestyle. The Budapest, Hungary, native also won the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:04.18.
Copeland won the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25.20. She also captured first place in the 100-yard freestyle after posting a time of 55.07.
Sophomore Kristine Kelly captured first place in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 5:01.40, while freshman Paige Bissett finished first in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:23.43.
Freshman diver Courtney Forcucci swept both diving events, a day after accomplishing that feat at No. 6 Texas A&M.
The Cougars’ 400-yard medley relay team of Jessica Shamburger, Doreen Polotzek, Bissett and Andrea Kells started the meet on a positive note, taking first place with a clocking of 4:02.50.
The Cougars will now take a 3 1/2 week break to sharpen thier skills and make final preparations before they host the Conference USA Swimming and Diving Championships on February 27-March 1.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Houston Swimming and Diving Falls at No. 6 Texas A&M
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS (February 1, 2008) Freshman diver Courtney Forcucci helped lead the University of Houston to a sweep of the Top Three place in two events Friday evening during a 145-96 loss at No. 6 Texas A&M at the Student Rec Center Natatorium. The complete results can be viewed here.
Forcucci, who was honored Tuesday, as the Conference USA Diver of the Week, appeared well on her way to winning her second straight weekly honor by capturing top honors on the 1- and 3-meter springboard.
The Fort Mill, S.C., native scored 312.83 points on the 3-meter board and wrapped up her day with 284.62 points in the 1-meter event.
Forcucci was only the leader in a Cougar diving sweep. Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk finished second in both events, while freshman Lacey Truelove placed third.
On the swimming side, junior Andrea Pa’lmai led the Cougars with a second-place showing in the 400-yard clocking after posting a time of 4:24.14, the fourth-fastest time in school history. The Budapest, Hungary, native now owns seven of the Cougars’ Top 10 fastest times in that event.
Sophomore Linda Fox (1,000-yard freestyle) and junior Sasha Schwendenwein (200-yard freestyle) each posted third-place finishes to lead the Cougars.
The Cougars wrap up the regular season when it plays host to New Orleans at 11:30 a.m., Saturday at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium. Fans should note that Saturday’s starting time was recently changed from earlier published schedules.
Seniors Ginni van Katwijk, Nicole Vaiana and Michelle Hall are scheduled to be honored in Senior Day ceremonies prior to the meet.
Forcucci, who was honored Tuesday, as the Conference USA Diver of the Week, appeared well on her way to winning her second straight weekly honor by capturing top honors on the 1- and 3-meter springboard.
The Fort Mill, S.C., native scored 312.83 points on the 3-meter board and wrapped up her day with 284.62 points in the 1-meter event.
Forcucci was only the leader in a Cougar diving sweep. Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk finished second in both events, while freshman Lacey Truelove placed third.
On the swimming side, junior Andrea Pa’lmai led the Cougars with a second-place showing in the 400-yard clocking after posting a time of 4:24.14, the fourth-fastest time in school history. The Budapest, Hungary, native now owns seven of the Cougars’ Top 10 fastest times in that event.
Sophomore Linda Fox (1,000-yard freestyle) and junior Sasha Schwendenwein (200-yard freestyle) each posted third-place finishes to lead the Cougars.
The Cougars wrap up the regular season when it plays host to New Orleans at 11:30 a.m., Saturday at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium. Fans should note that Saturday’s starting time was recently changed from earlier published schedules.
Seniors Ginni van Katwijk, Nicole Vaiana and Michelle Hall are scheduled to be honored in Senior Day ceremonies prior to the meet.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Swimming and Diving Wraps up Regular Season this Weekend
HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 31, 2008) The University of Houston swimming and diving team begins its final week of the regular season at 5 p.m., Friday as it travels to College Station to face No. 6 Texas A&M at the Student Rec Natatorium.
The Cougars (8-7) will be looking to snap a four-meet losing streak after being swept by No. 24 LSU and Conference USA rival Rice last weekend at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.
At that meet, freshman diver Courtney Forcucci swept both springboard events to lead UH. For her impressive efforts, she was honored earlier this week as the C-USA Diver of the Week, the second time this season she has received the league's weekly award.
On the swimming side, a pair of juniors has led the Cougars this season. Sasha Schwendenwein has posted UH season-best times in the 50-, 100-, 200- and 500-yard freestyle events as well as the 200-yard butterfly and the 100-yard backstroke.
Andrea Pa'lmai leads UH in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke and the 200- and 400-yard individual medley. The Budapest, Hungary, native joined Forcucci as the only event winners last weekend after finishing first in the 400-yard individual medley.
Following their showdown against the Aggies, the Cougars return home to play host to New Orleans at 11:30 a.m., Saturday at the CRWC Natatorium. Fans should note that Saturday's starting time was recently changed from earlier published schedules.
Prior to the UNO, the Cougars will hold a ceremony to honor their 2008 seniors. The meet is free and open to the public, which is invited to attend.
The Cougars (8-7) will be looking to snap a four-meet losing streak after being swept by No. 24 LSU and Conference USA rival Rice last weekend at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.
At that meet, freshman diver Courtney Forcucci swept both springboard events to lead UH. For her impressive efforts, she was honored earlier this week as the C-USA Diver of the Week, the second time this season she has received the league's weekly award.
On the swimming side, a pair of juniors has led the Cougars this season. Sasha Schwendenwein has posted UH season-best times in the 50-, 100-, 200- and 500-yard freestyle events as well as the 200-yard butterfly and the 100-yard backstroke.
Andrea Pa'lmai leads UH in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke and the 200- and 400-yard individual medley. The Budapest, Hungary, native joined Forcucci as the only event winners last weekend after finishing first in the 400-yard individual medley.
Following their showdown against the Aggies, the Cougars return home to play host to New Orleans at 11:30 a.m., Saturday at the CRWC Natatorium. Fans should note that Saturday's starting time was recently changed from earlier published schedules.
Prior to the UNO, the Cougars will hold a ceremony to honor their 2008 seniors. The meet is free and open to the public, which is invited to attend.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Courtney Forcucci Named C-USA Diver of the Week
HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 29, 2008) University of Houston freshman Courtney Forcucci was named Conference USA Diver of the week on Tuesday.Forcucci was the leading performer in last weekend’s meets, sweeping both events against Rice and No. 24 LSU. The Fort Mill, S.C., native won the 3-meter springboard, finishing nearly 40 points ahead of her competitor, with a season best of 332.03 points.
Her second win came during the 1-meter competition with 293.85 points, finishing more than 13 points ahead of the second-place competitor.
This was Forcucci’s second weekly honor for the 2007-08 season. She was first honored on Nov. 6, 2007.
The Cougar Swimming and Diving team will wrap up the regular season at 5 p.m., Friday, at No. 6 Texas A&M. The Cougars return home to play host to New Orleans at 11:30 a.m., Saturday at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.
Fans should note that Saturday’s meet time was recently changed from earlier published schedules.
Following more than a three-week break UH will play host to the 2008 Conference USA Championship and Invitational. It begins Feb. 27 and runs through March 1 at the CRWC Natatorium. Other teams participating in the Championship are defending champion SMU, Rice, East Carolina, Marshall, Cal State Bakersfield, and Northern Colorado.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Houston Swimming and Diving Swept by LSU and Rice on Saturday
HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 26, 2008) For the second straight day, University of Houston freshman Courtney Forcucci claimed top honors in a diving event to lead the Cougar Swimming & Diving team during the final day of a tri-meet against No. 24 LSU and Conference USA rival Rice on Friday at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.
Forcucci scored 293.85 points on the 1-meter springboard to finish more than 13 points ahead of her closest competitor. The Fort Mill, S.C., native was the only diver to record at least 293.00 points in both events after winning the 3-meter competition Friday evening.
Teammates Ginni van Katwijk and Lacey Truelove finished third and fourth, respectively, to lead the Cougars.
Junior Andrea Pa’lmai led the Cougar swimmers after winning the 400-yard individual medley during the final individual event of the day. The Budapest, Hungary, native finished more than four seconds ahead of her closest competitor.
The Cougars dropped both meets to their rivals, falling 240-102 to the 24th-ranked Tigers and 225-117 to Rice. LSU swept the two-day meet with a 240-102 win over Rice.
With the losses, the Cougars lost their fourth straight and fell to 8-7 overall in dual meets this season.
The Cougars return to action next weekend with their final two meets of the regular season. UH faces No. 6 Texas A&M at 5 p.m., Friday at the Student Rec Center Natatorium.
From there, the team wraps up the regular season when it plays host to New Orleans at 11:30 a.m., Saturday at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.
Fans should note that Saturday’s starting time was recently changed from earlier published schedules.
Forcucci scored 293.85 points on the 1-meter springboard to finish more than 13 points ahead of her closest competitor. The Fort Mill, S.C., native was the only diver to record at least 293.00 points in both events after winning the 3-meter competition Friday evening.
Teammates Ginni van Katwijk and Lacey Truelove finished third and fourth, respectively, to lead the Cougars.
Junior Andrea Pa’lmai led the Cougar swimmers after winning the 400-yard individual medley during the final individual event of the day. The Budapest, Hungary, native finished more than four seconds ahead of her closest competitor.
The Cougars dropped both meets to their rivals, falling 240-102 to the 24th-ranked Tigers and 225-117 to Rice. LSU swept the two-day meet with a 240-102 win over Rice.
With the losses, the Cougars lost their fourth straight and fell to 8-7 overall in dual meets this season.
The Cougars return to action next weekend with their final two meets of the regular season. UH faces No. 6 Texas A&M at 5 p.m., Friday at the Student Rec Center Natatorium.
From there, the team wraps up the regular season when it plays host to New Orleans at 11:30 a.m., Saturday at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.
Fans should note that Saturday’s starting time was recently changed from earlier published schedules.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
FROGS TO HOST SMU, NEW MEXICO THIS WEEKEND
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (January 24, 2008) The TCU men’s swimming and diving team will play host to No. 24 SMU on Friday at 6 p.m. at the University Recreation Center, followed by a Saturday contest between the TCU women’s team and New Mexico at 12 p.m.
The men’s team (6-3, 2-3) is coming off of a 95-88 win at Centenary, where the
Frogs broke six Centenary Fitness Center records. Senior Scott McCracken broke
the 50-free (21.07) and 100-free (47.34), while Ben Biefnes (200-breast), Jeff
Gettel (200-back) and Jason Hauck (200-fly) also set new pool marks.
The Frogs will renew their rivalry with SMU for the first time since the 2004-05
season on Friday. The Mustangs are currently ranked No. 24 nationally and are
4-1 overall this season, with their lone loss coming to No. 4 Arizona.
The women’s team (5-7, 1-6) also had a successful showing last weekend, setting
five new Centenary Fitness Center records en route to a 102-73 victory. The
200-medley relay team of Brittney Martinez, Ellie Bradley, Mychala Lynch and
Nikki Pappas began the meet by breaking the pool record with a time of 1:51.24.
The 200-free relay team of Lynch, Martinez, Meredith Grubb and Pappas also ended
the meet on a positive note, setting a new pool mark of 1:40.36. Freshman
Jessica Miles broke the old pool record in the 200-fly with a time of 2:10.38,
while Cheryl Townsend set a new mark in the 200-back (2:08.84) and Katie Rosen
shattered the 200-breast record with a time of 2:27.26.
The Frogs have faced New Mexico twice in Albuquerque since joining the Mountain
West Conference, taking both meets, including a 132-97 victory a year ago.
The seniors on the men’s team will be honored on Friday night prior to the start
of the meet against SMU, while the seniors on the women’s squad will be
recognized before Saturday’s meet.
The men’s team (6-3, 2-3) is coming off of a 95-88 win at Centenary, where the
Frogs broke six Centenary Fitness Center records. Senior Scott McCracken broke
the 50-free (21.07) and 100-free (47.34), while Ben Biefnes (200-breast), Jeff
Gettel (200-back) and Jason Hauck (200-fly) also set new pool marks.
The Frogs will renew their rivalry with SMU for the first time since the 2004-05
season on Friday. The Mustangs are currently ranked No. 24 nationally and are
4-1 overall this season, with their lone loss coming to No. 4 Arizona.
The women’s team (5-7, 1-6) also had a successful showing last weekend, setting
five new Centenary Fitness Center records en route to a 102-73 victory. The
200-medley relay team of Brittney Martinez, Ellie Bradley, Mychala Lynch and
Nikki Pappas began the meet by breaking the pool record with a time of 1:51.24.
The 200-free relay team of Lynch, Martinez, Meredith Grubb and Pappas also ended
the meet on a positive note, setting a new pool mark of 1:40.36. Freshman
Jessica Miles broke the old pool record in the 200-fly with a time of 2:10.38,
while Cheryl Townsend set a new mark in the 200-back (2:08.84) and Katie Rosen
shattered the 200-breast record with a time of 2:27.26.
The Frogs have faced New Mexico twice in Albuquerque since joining the Mountain
West Conference, taking both meets, including a 132-97 victory a year ago.
The seniors on the men’s team will be honored on Friday night prior to the start
of the meet against SMU, while the seniors on the women’s squad will be
recognized before Saturday’s meet.
Houston Swimming and Diving Plays Host to Rice and LSU This Weekend
HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 24, 2008) The University of Houston swimming and diving team competes in Houston for the first time in three months this weekend when it plays host to LSU and Conference USA rival Rice in a two-day tri-meet at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.
The meet begins at 5 p.m., Friday with the 200-yard medley relay, 1,000-yardfreestyle, 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard freestyle, 3-meter diving, 50-yard freestyle, 200-yard individual medley and 400-yard freestyle relay.
The meet wraps up at 11:30 a.m., Saturday with the 400-yard medley relay,500-yard freestyle, 200-yard butterfly, 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard breaststroke, 1-meter diving, 100-yard freestyle, 400-yard individual medley and 200-yard freestyle relay.
Fans should note that Saturday's starting time recently was changed fromearlier published schedules.
All UH swimming and diving meet are free and open to the public, which is invited to attend.
Although the Cougar divers competed at their own Houston Invitational on Nov. 15-17, this will be the first time that the swimmers and divers haveperformed together since Oct. 26-27 at the Phill Hansel Duals Weekend.
The Cougars (8-5) come into the meet after dropping a pair of dual meets last weekend in north Texas. UH looks to return to its winning ways afterfalling 133-110 at North Texas and 140-91 at No. 12 SMU.
This season, junior Sasha Schwendenwein has emerged as one of the team's steadiest performers. The Randburg, South Africa, native has posted theCougars' best times in the 50-, 100-, 200- and 500-yard freestyle events.
Fellow junior Andrea Pa'lmai tops all UH swimmers in the 1,000- and1,650-yard freestyle events as well as the 200-yard backstroke and the 100-and 200-yard breaststroke events.
Freshman Andrea Kells, competing in her first collegiate season, leads the Cougars in both the 100- and 200-yard butterfly events.
On the diving side, senior captain Ginni van Katwijk had led the Cougars onthe 1-meter springboard and platform and comes into this weekend¹s meet asthe defending C-USA Diver of the Week.
The Grootebroek, Netherlands, native won both diving events and helped leadthe Cougars to a sweep of the Top Three places at North Texas last weekend
Freshmen Courtney Forcucci and Lacey Truelove also have been consistentperformers in all three diving events this season and are scheduled to be inaction this weekend.
The meet begins at 5 p.m., Friday with the 200-yard medley relay, 1,000-yardfreestyle, 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard freestyle, 3-meter diving, 50-yard freestyle, 200-yard individual medley and 400-yard freestyle relay.
The meet wraps up at 11:30 a.m., Saturday with the 400-yard medley relay,500-yard freestyle, 200-yard butterfly, 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard breaststroke, 1-meter diving, 100-yard freestyle, 400-yard individual medley and 200-yard freestyle relay.
Fans should note that Saturday's starting time recently was changed fromearlier published schedules.
All UH swimming and diving meet are free and open to the public, which is invited to attend.
Although the Cougar divers competed at their own Houston Invitational on Nov. 15-17, this will be the first time that the swimmers and divers haveperformed together since Oct. 26-27 at the Phill Hansel Duals Weekend.
The Cougars (8-5) come into the meet after dropping a pair of dual meets last weekend in north Texas. UH looks to return to its winning ways afterfalling 133-110 at North Texas and 140-91 at No. 12 SMU.
This season, junior Sasha Schwendenwein has emerged as one of the team's steadiest performers. The Randburg, South Africa, native has posted theCougars' best times in the 50-, 100-, 200- and 500-yard freestyle events.
Fellow junior Andrea Pa'lmai tops all UH swimmers in the 1,000- and1,650-yard freestyle events as well as the 200-yard backstroke and the 100-and 200-yard breaststroke events.
Freshman Andrea Kells, competing in her first collegiate season, leads the Cougars in both the 100- and 200-yard butterfly events.
On the diving side, senior captain Ginni van Katwijk had led the Cougars onthe 1-meter springboard and platform and comes into this weekend¹s meet asthe defending C-USA Diver of the Week.
The Grootebroek, Netherlands, native won both diving events and helped leadthe Cougars to a sweep of the Top Three places at North Texas last weekend
Freshmen Courtney Forcucci and Lacey Truelove also have been consistentperformers in all three diving events this season and are scheduled to be inaction this weekend.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Houston Diver van Katwijk Honored
IRVING, TEXAS (January 23, 2008) Houston’s Ginni van Katwijk is the Conference USA Diver of the Week. van Katwijk was the Cougars’ leading diver during a road swing through north Texas as she swept both events at North Texas and earned second- and fourth-place finishes at No. 12 SMU.
van Katwijk was the Cougars’ leading diver during a road swing through north Texas last weekend. The senior swept both events at North Texas and earned second- and fourth-place finishes at No. 12 SMU. van Katwijk won the 1-meter event with 262.73 points against UNT and finished first on the 3-meter board with 273.08 points. Her efforts helped lead the Cougars to a sweep of the Top Three places in both events.
At SMU she finished second on the 1-meter board with 269.69 points, less than one point from event winner and teammate Courtney Forcucci. van Katwik placed fourth on the 3-meter board with 267.07 points. This is van Katwijk’s second career C-USA weekly honor, her first in 2008.
van Katwijk was the Cougars’ leading diver during a road swing through north Texas last weekend. The senior swept both events at North Texas and earned second- and fourth-place finishes at No. 12 SMU. van Katwijk won the 1-meter event with 262.73 points against UNT and finished first on the 3-meter board with 273.08 points. Her efforts helped lead the Cougars to a sweep of the Top Three places in both events.
At SMU she finished second on the 1-meter board with 269.69 points, less than one point from event winner and teammate Courtney Forcucci. van Katwik placed fourth on the 3-meter board with 267.07 points. This is van Katwijk’s second career C-USA weekly honor, her first in 2008.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Houston Cougars Top Times Through January 20, 2008
By Robert H. Kelly
(Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications)
The University of Houston media relations department has released the top swimming times and diving scores through January 20, 2008 for the 2007-2008 season.
The Houston swimmers and divers are currently 8-5 in dual meet action. They will face LSU and Conference USA rival Rice on Friday and Saturday, January 25-26, 2008.
Action begins on Friday at 5:00 pm and on Saturday at 11:00 am.
You can view the top times by clicking here.
(Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications)
The University of Houston media relations department has released the top swimming times and diving scores through January 20, 2008 for the 2007-2008 season.
The Houston swimmers and divers are currently 8-5 in dual meet action. They will face LSU and Conference USA rival Rice on Friday and Saturday, January 25-26, 2008.
Action begins on Friday at 5:00 pm and on Saturday at 11:00 am.
You can view the top times by clicking here.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Houston Swimming and Diving Drops Dual Meet at No. 12 SMU
DALLAS, TEXAS (January 19, 2008) University of Houston freshman diver Courtney Forcucci scored 270.45 points on the 1-meter springboard to lead the Cougars during a 140-91 loss at No. 12 SMU on Saturday afternoon at Perkins Natatorium.
Forcucci grabbed top honors in a close race that saw less than five points separate the four competitors. Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk was a close second with 269.69 points.
The Cougars’ 200-yard freestyle relay team of Sasha Schwendenwein, Brittany Copeland, Doreen Polotzek and Lindsey Graves capped the day with a first-place finish after posting a time of 1:40.38.
Junior Sasha Schwendenwein finished second in both the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events, while freshman Andrea Kells captured second place in the 200-yard butterfly and the 200-yard breaststroke.
Freshman Lindsey Graves (1,000-yard freestyle), junior Andrea Pa’lmai (400-yard individual medley) and freshman Lacey Truelove (3-meter diving) also recorded second-place finishes to lead the Cougars.
The Cougars return to action next weekend when they play host to LSU and C-USA rival Rice during a two-day meet at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Natatorium. That meet begins at 5 p.m., Friday and wraps up at 11 a.m., Saturday.
The complete and final results can be viewed here.
Forcucci grabbed top honors in a close race that saw less than five points separate the four competitors. Senior captain Ginni van Katwijk was a close second with 269.69 points.
The Cougars’ 200-yard freestyle relay team of Sasha Schwendenwein, Brittany Copeland, Doreen Polotzek and Lindsey Graves capped the day with a first-place finish after posting a time of 1:40.38.
Junior Sasha Schwendenwein finished second in both the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events, while freshman Andrea Kells captured second place in the 200-yard butterfly and the 200-yard breaststroke.
Freshman Lindsey Graves (1,000-yard freestyle), junior Andrea Pa’lmai (400-yard individual medley) and freshman Lacey Truelove (3-meter diving) also recorded second-place finishes to lead the Cougars.
The Cougars return to action next weekend when they play host to LSU and C-USA rival Rice during a two-day meet at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Natatorium. That meet begins at 5 p.m., Friday and wraps up at 11 a.m., Saturday.
The complete and final results can be viewed here.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Houston Swimming Falls to North Texas
DENTON, TEXAS (January 18, 2008) Junior swimmers Andrea Pa'lmai and Sasha Schwendenwein and senior diving captain Ginni van Katwijk each won multiple events, but it would not be quite enough as North Texas claimed a 133-110 win over the University of Houston swimming and diving team Friday afternoon at the Pohl Recreation Center Natatorium.
Although the Cougars won the majority of the individual swimming events and swept the Top Three places in both diving events, the Mean Green began and capped the meet with relay wins to enjoy its first win against UH.
With the loss, the Cougars fell to 8-4 overall in dual meets this season. The Cougars also saw their 13-meet winning streak against the Mean Green come to an end.
Pa'lmai won the 1,00-yard freestyle with a time of 10:30.88 and added a similar finish in the 200-yard individual medley after posting a time of 2:08.22.
The Budapest, Hungary, native capped her day with a first-place showing in the 500-yard freestyle after recording a time of 5:06.00.
Schwendenwein finished first in the 200-yard freestyle with a clocking of 1:51.93. The Randburg, South Africa, native also won the 100-yard freestyle event with a time of 52.32.
van Katwijk led a Cougar sweep of the Top Three places in both diving events. The Grootebroek, Netherlands, native won the 1-meter event with 262.73 points and scored 273.08 points on the 3-meter springboard to grab top honors.
Freshman Andrea Kells grabbed top honors in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 58.64.
Freshman Courtney Forcucci finished second in the 1-meter event with fellow freshman Lacey Truelove placing second on the 3-meter board.
The Cougars wrap up their stay in north Texas when they face No. 12 SMU at 1 p.m., at Perkins Natatorium.
Click here for complete results.
Although the Cougars won the majority of the individual swimming events and swept the Top Three places in both diving events, the Mean Green began and capped the meet with relay wins to enjoy its first win against UH.
With the loss, the Cougars fell to 8-4 overall in dual meets this season. The Cougars also saw their 13-meet winning streak against the Mean Green come to an end.
Pa'lmai won the 1,00-yard freestyle with a time of 10:30.88 and added a similar finish in the 200-yard individual medley after posting a time of 2:08.22.
The Budapest, Hungary, native capped her day with a first-place showing in the 500-yard freestyle after recording a time of 5:06.00.
Schwendenwein finished first in the 200-yard freestyle with a clocking of 1:51.93. The Randburg, South Africa, native also won the 100-yard freestyle event with a time of 52.32.
van Katwijk led a Cougar sweep of the Top Three places in both diving events. The Grootebroek, Netherlands, native won the 1-meter event with 262.73 points and scored 273.08 points on the 3-meter springboard to grab top honors.
Freshman Andrea Kells grabbed top honors in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 58.64.
Freshman Courtney Forcucci finished second in the 1-meter event with fellow freshman Lacey Truelove placing second on the 3-meter board.
The Cougars wrap up their stay in north Texas when they face No. 12 SMU at 1 p.m., at Perkins Natatorium.
Click here for complete results.
Houston Swimming Sweeps at Hawai'i Relay Meet
HONOLULU, HAWAII (January 18, 2008) The University of Houston swimming team capped its winter training with an impressive sweep of Stony Brook, Puget Sound and St. Cloud State on Wednesday at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatics Center.
Competing in a variety of relay events only, the Cougars, who improved to 8-3 overall this season in dual meets, enjoyed 41-13 wins over both Stony Brook and Puget Sound and a 28-26 thriller over St. Cloud State.
The Cougars finished first or second in five of the six events in which they competed to take the wins.
The team of Andrea Pa'lmai, Doreen Polotzek, Andrea Kells and Sasha Schwendenwein started the meet on a high note, winning the 400-yard medley relay event with a time of 4:04.44, nearly six seconds faster than its closest competitor.
After second-place finishes in the 150-yard freestyle and the 150-yard butterfly relays, the team of Schwendenwein, Pa'lmai and freshman Paige Bissett claimed top honors in the 150-yard backstroke with a clocking of 1:23.91, nearly five seconds ahead of the closest competition.
The Cougars finished third in the 150-yard breaststroke relay before the team of Schwendenwein, Pa'lmai, Bissett and freshman Brittany Copeland finished first in the 500-yard freestyle relay with a time of 4:42.69, more than nine seconds ahead of their closest competitor.
Schwendwein was a member of three first-place teams, while Pa'lmai and Bissett were a part of two winning teams.
The Cougars were originally slated to compete on Dec. 31 in the relay meet and on Jan. 4 against an opponent to be determined but unforeseen circumstances forced the cancellation of those meets.
The Cougars return to action during this weekend with a trip to the Dallas area. The weekend starts at 4 p.m., January 18 when the Cougars face North Texas in Denton. From there, the team wraps up its stay in North Texas at 1 p.m., January 19, at No. 12 SMU.
Click here for complete results.
Competing in a variety of relay events only, the Cougars, who improved to 8-3 overall this season in dual meets, enjoyed 41-13 wins over both Stony Brook and Puget Sound and a 28-26 thriller over St. Cloud State.
The Cougars finished first or second in five of the six events in which they competed to take the wins.
The team of Andrea Pa'lmai, Doreen Polotzek, Andrea Kells and Sasha Schwendenwein started the meet on a high note, winning the 400-yard medley relay event with a time of 4:04.44, nearly six seconds faster than its closest competitor.
After second-place finishes in the 150-yard freestyle and the 150-yard butterfly relays, the team of Schwendenwein, Pa'lmai and freshman Paige Bissett claimed top honors in the 150-yard backstroke with a clocking of 1:23.91, nearly five seconds ahead of the closest competition.
The Cougars finished third in the 150-yard breaststroke relay before the team of Schwendenwein, Pa'lmai, Bissett and freshman Brittany Copeland finished first in the 500-yard freestyle relay with a time of 4:42.69, more than nine seconds ahead of their closest competitor.
Schwendwein was a member of three first-place teams, while Pa'lmai and Bissett were a part of two winning teams.
The Cougars were originally slated to compete on Dec. 31 in the relay meet and on Jan. 4 against an opponent to be determined but unforeseen circumstances forced the cancellation of those meets.
The Cougars return to action during this weekend with a trip to the Dallas area. The weekend starts at 4 p.m., January 18 when the Cougars face North Texas in Denton. From there, the team wraps up its stay in North Texas at 1 p.m., January 19, at No. 12 SMU.
Click here for complete results.
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